POWERS OF HM REVENUE AND CUSTOMS

That this House notes with grave concern the proposal in the 2014 Budget to grant powers to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to gain direct access to citizens' bank accounts without judicial oversight; further notes the evidence given to the Treasury Committee and the Committee's recommendations in its Thirteenth Report, Budget 2014 (HC 1189); is concerned by the continuing failure of HMRC to manage and store data in a manner commensurate with such powers; believes that the granting of such powers would constitute an unprecedented reduction in the rights of citizens and their right to fair protection from the state by reintroducing Crown Preference without due process; and therefore calls on the Government to abandon these plans.